The construction industry constantly seeks materials that offer superior performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is fast becoming the building material of choice, providing a versatile and innovative substrate with applications that cater to the diverse needs of architects, developers, contractors, and builders.
What is AAC?
AAC is a lightweight, autoclaved aerated concrete composed of sand, lime, cement, water, and a small amount of aluminium powder. This unique composition produces a cellular structure that combines strength and durability with exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation properties. ACC blocks and panels are reinforced with specially coated steel to prevent corrosion, ensuring dimensional accuracy and stability.
AAC was invented in 1924 and is used extensively throughout the world to meet the growing demand for high-quality, rapidly constructed, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and seismologically resilient building materials. AAC offers all these benefits and has become a global standard in construction It has a market penetration of 60% in Germany and 40% in the UK and is predominant in most high-rise buildings in China.
AAC is manufactured at Everite’s facility in Kliprivier, Midvaal. A quality assurance programme in accordance with the requirements of the International Standards Organisation (ISO 9001:2015) is entrenched in Everite’s process and management systems. The quality of all products is continuously monitored as specified by the South African National Standards and recognised international bodies.
Key Benefits of AAC
- Speed of Construction:
AAC significantly accelerates the building process. Compared to traditional masonry, constructing with ACC panels can be up to 10 times faster, while using ACC blocks can be twice as fast. This efficiency translates into substantial savings in labour and on-site costs. - Technical Performance:
AAC boasts outstanding technical performance, including fire resistance, thermal insulation, and sound absorption. A 150 mm thick ACC wall can withstand direct fire exposure for up to 6 hours, making it a safe choice for various building applications. Its thermal efficiency is five times greater than that of traditional brick, reducing heating and cooling costs by up to 60%. - Cost-Effective:
Despite the initial cost, AAC offers long-term economic benefits. Its lightweight nature reduces transportation costs, and its efficiency in installation lowers labour costs. The improved thermal properties also lead to lower energy consumption, contributing to cost savings over the building’s lifespan. - Sustainability:
AAC is an environmentally friendly building material. Its manufacturing process consumes approximately 70% less energy than that of clay bricks, and waste from the cutting process is recycled back into the production cycle. The low carbon footprint and reduced energy requirements for heating and cooling make AAC a sustainable choice.
